Inking mechanism



Apr. 3, 1923.

7 1,450,269 J. J. WALSER ET AL INKING MECHANISM Filed Mar. 12, l92O 2sheets-sheet l ATTORNEY Apr. 3, 1923.

J. J. WALSER ET AL I NKING MECHANI SM .Filed Mar. 12,1920 2 sheets sheet2' Patented Apr. 3, 1923.

UNITED STATES} PATENT orrics.

JOSEPH J. WALSER, OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AND HARLAND FANKBONEE, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOBS T0 GOSS PRINTING PRESS COMPANY, A CORPO-RATION OF ILLINOIS.

IN KING MECHANISM.

Application filed March 12, 1920. Serial No. 365,354.

T 0 all whom it 121a,;2 concern,

Be it known that we, JosnrH J. VALSER and HARLAND FANKBONER, citizens ofthe United States, residing, respectively, at Ann Arbor, Mich, and inChicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Inking Mechanism, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to printing presses and more particularly to theinking mechanism and cooperating parts, the invention being directed andespecially adapted in its chief aspects or features to inking mechanismfitted and adapted for fast rotary presses, such as are used fornewspaper work and some magazine work.

Objects and advantages of the inventlon will be set forth in parthereinafter, and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned bypractice with the invention; the same being realized and attainedthrough the instrument-alities and combinations pointed. out in theappended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, arrangements, constructions,combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings. referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention. and together withthe description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation. partlydiagrammatic, of the inking mechanism and a rotary printing couple of aprinting press embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation. with parts in section, looking atFig. 1 from the right;

Fig. 3 is a detail with the parts separated of the adjustable cam forcontrolling the.

ductor roller;

F ig. at is a fragmentary elevation of certain parts shown also inFig. 1. and illustrating the relation and co-action of the ductorroller. ink drum and its governing cam;

Figs. 5 and G are diagrammatic views illustrating the peripheral travelof the ductor roller upon the periphery of the ink drums, or fountainroller or both and Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View ofthe ductor roller mounting, taken on line 7-7 of Fig. l, the same partsbeing shown in section in Fig. 2.

Referring now in detail to the embodi-- ment illustrated by way ofexample in the accompanying drawings, a rotary printing couple isrepresented having a form cylinder 1 with its shaft 2 running inbearings 8, and a cooperating impression cylinder 4 with its shaft 5running in bearings 6. The web 03 runs through between the cylinders inthe usual manner, andis printed upon by the plates upon the formcylinder 1.

In accordance with certain features of the invention, a ductor roller orlike ink conveying device is provided which travels along the peripheryof the fountain roller, or of the ink drum, or of both, the quantity andduration of the conveyance or transfer of the ink from one of saidmembers to the other being governed and controlled by the extent of suchperipheral travel of the ductor roller along the other of said mem bersrather than by a dwell or pause of the ductor roller in contact with thefountain roller, or the ink drum, or both. In conjunction andcooperation with the foregoing, the invention provides, but is notlimited to, a continuously traveling ductor roller, and preferably tosuch a ductor roller. traveling in one direction in a circular path. aThe manner of ink conveyance or transfer hereinbefore described, renderspossible also the employment of a continuously rotating fountain roller,and in accordance with certain features of the invention a fountainroller so operating is provided, although it will be understood that inits broader aspects the invention is not so limited.

In accordance with certain features of the invention, the ductor rolleris resiliently impelled toward the ink drum, the fountain roller, orboth of them, and thereby is adapted and capacitated to effect anddescribe its travel along the periphery of either or both of said othermembers. In conjunction therewith settable or adjustable means areprovided for moving or restraining the ductor roller against theresiliently impelling means tg limit or vary or govern the extent ofsuch peripheral travel of the ductor roller, and thereby control thequantity and condition of the ink conveyance or supply to the platesupon the form cylinder 1.

More in detail, a ductor roller swings about a center and is resilientlyimpelled outwardly radially so as to have the desired travel along theperiphery of the ink drum, fountain roller, or both, and settabledevices, such as an adjustable cam or cams press the roller back, moreor less, to limit and control the extent of its peripheral travel alongthe other member or members. The more the ductor roller is hell back theless the extent of its travel along the periphcry of the ink drum orfountain roller, and the less quantity of ink is transferred to themembers or parts of the inking mechanism which convey the ink to theplates upon the form cylinder 1.

In the embodied form. these various features of the invention, whilecapable of separate and independent use, are associated together in asingle mechanism and in cooperation one with another, and together withother features of the invention not heretofore mentioned but which willbe later described and pointed out.

Referring to the details of the illustrated embodiment, an ink fountain10 is provided having therein a fountain roller 11, which in accordancewith one feature of the invention is preferably continuously rotated.The fountain roller 11 is rotated in the proper direction and at variedor regulated speed in any suitable manner, as by gearing of the usualtype (not shown).

As embodied herein, and in accordance with certain features of theinvention, the ductor roller travels in an endless circular path,cooperating with the fountain roller at one point in its path to receivethe desired or prescribed quantity; of ink, and at another point in itspath depositing the ink in the desired. or prescribed quantity upon theink drum or other agency which properly distributes it and forwards itin conjunction with cooperating devices to the printing plates upon theform cylinder.

In the embodied structure. a shaft 12 is mounted in the machine, and ispreferably continuously rotated by suitable gearing (not shown) or otherdesired or approved means. In the present embodied form, a plurality ofductor rollers rotate about the shaft 12, thus making possible theemployment of slower traveling ductor rollers and thereby securingbetter inking results. As embodied, the shaft 12 has fixed thereto fourpairs of arms 13 1 1, 15, and 16, the ductor rollers 17, 18, 19 and 20being mounted, respectively, in the outer ends of the various pairs ofarms.

In the embodied form of resilient m0unting for the ductor rollers, eacharm of the pairs of arms 13, let, 15 and 16, is provided near itsexternal end, that is the end away from shaft 12, with a closed bearingaperture 21. In each of the bearing apertures 21 is mounted a journalbox 22, longitudinally or radially slida-ble in the aperture. In eachjournal box 22 is journaled the shaft or pintle 23 of one of the ductorrollers, the roller with its shaft 23 being free to rotate in thejournal boxes 22. The em-' bodied form of the resilient impelling means,operating preferably outwardly radially, as already described, comprisescoiled springs 21 in compression between the re spcetii'e journal boxes22 and the inner end of the corresponding aperture 21.

In the embodied form of means for moving or prc-determinatelypositioning the ductor rollers with respect to the ink drum, thefountain roller, or both, already referred to, the shafts preferablyproject out wardly beyond the respective arms 18, 14, 1:"; and 16. Fixedto the shafts 23 either at one or both ends, are cam rollers 27 and 28,which cooperate in the present embodied form with adjustable cams. Thecam or ams with the rollers 27 and 28 work against the springs 24%, toradially vary and determine the position of the ductor rollers to governthe extent of their peripheral travel upon the ink drum or fountainroller, or both, to control the supply of ink to the print-in o plateson thepress. This permits the travel of the ductor roller along theperiphery of the other rollers, while limiting' the extent of suchtravel as desired.

The embodied form of the cam control just referred to comprises anarcuate cam 29 located between the fountain roller 11 and an ink drum30. The cam 29 is preferably multi-part, the parts beingcircumferentia-lly adjustable or positionable with respect to eachother.

A detail of the embodied form of the cam is shown in Fig. 3, the twocircumferentially adjustable parts 31 and 32 being provided withadjusting slots, one slot being in the part 31. another slot 34- beingin the part 32, and the two parts having common registering slots wherethe parts 31 and 32 overlap. The various slots are provided withsuitable clamping bolts 36, 37 and 38 threaded into some part of themachine frame. Thus by this cam the point of departure of the ductorroller from the fountain roller and its point of incidence upon the inkdrum may be independently and nicely determined and regulated.

The arms 13, 1.4, 15 and 16 and their repart of the ductor rollers woulddescribe such an are or circle as is-indicated byline in Fig. 4, andtheextreme outer part of the roller 27 would describe such apath as isindicated by the line 41in Fig. 4. I

Due to this position of the path of the ductor rollers and totheirresilient impulsionradiallyoutwardly by the springs 24,

theyare' capacitated to travel or roll along.

the peripherywof the ink drum 30 and the fountain roller 11, the springs24 compressing and then extenclingduring thls curvilinear travel' of theductor rollers. The circumferential and relatively independentadjustment of the parts 31 and 32 of the cam roller from the fountainroller 11 can be ex- F1 actly governed, thereby giving a nice andaccurate control of the quantity of ink taken. The circumferentialadjustment of the part 31' of cam 29 toward or from the'ink drum30de'termines the point in the travel of the ductor rollers atwhich theywill come into contact with the periphery ofthe ink drum,

and thereby an equally nice and accurate control is obtained of thedelivery of the ink from the ductor rollers to the ink drum.

The continuous and unidirectional travel taining the high speed of inksupply through the inking mechanism as a whole to meet the demands ofhigh speed presses thus maintaining a high quality of printing. Theductor rollers are also'adapted to take the speed ,of the fountainrollers when receiving ink and to take the speed of the ink drum whendelivering the ink. The cam rollers 27 are so proportioned that theductor rollers'a-re brought to the speed of the ink drum when they comeinto contact therewith.

In the present embodiment of the invention means are also provided forgoverning the ductor roller as it approaches the f0untain roller and tocontrol the point of its incidence therewith at the'beginning of itstravel about the periphery thereof, to assist or participate in thecontrol of the ink supply as already described.

In the embodied form thereof, a cam 43,

also approximately of arcuate form is provided along the path ofapproach of'the ductor rollers to'the fountain roller (at theright inFig. l). The cam 43 is likewise circumferentially adjustable, and'forthe purpose is provided with slots 44 and clamplng bolts 45. Thelead'end 46 of the cam 43 is inclined outwardly, so asto receive the camrollers 28in their extreme outward position radially in thecorresponding pair of arms.

Roller 27 is of such size that as it rolls along cam 29 the ductorroller is brought to the surface or peripheral speed of the ink drum 30,and roller 28 is of suchsize that as it rolls along cam 43 the ductorroller is brought to the surface or peripheral speed of the fountainroller 11.

The ink drum 30 may representaany desired element ormember in the inkingsystem adapted to receive the ink from the duc-' tor rollers, and toparticipate in its distribution, its forwarding and its supply to theprinting plates on the form cylinder, the 7 remaining parts of theinking mechanism being shown more or less conventionally.1

The ink drum 30 cooperates with aform inking roller 46, which suppliesink to the plates upon the form cylinder 1, and likewise to another inkdrum 47,'which ink drum also supplies ink to a form roller 48, the formroller 48 inking the plates upon the formcylinder 1. Cooperating withform roller 46 is a smooth metal roller 49, running fri'ctionally incontact with the-form roller, and assisting in the distribution of theink on the form roller. It will be understood that the form and numberof these various members or elements of the inking mechanism may bevaried without affecting the principles or scope of the invention.

Suitable vibrating mechanism is provided for vibrating certainxor all ofthe members described, and as embodied the ink drums 30 and47 and theroller 49, in the preferred form, are all vibrated, and the ink drums 30and 47 are likewise positively driven, while the roller 49 isfrictionally driven from form roller 46. In the embodied form ofvibratingmeans, there is fixed on a shaft an eccentric 56, the strap 57thereof being connected to a rod 58. The rod 58 is pivotally connectedto an arm 59, which arm is fixed to a shaft 60 journaled in a bracket'61 mounted upon the machine frame.

Fixed to' the shaft 60 is an arm 71, provided with a roller 72,which-roller runs in an annularly grooved collar 73, formed upon theshaft 74 of roller 49.

Fixed also to shaft 60 is a geared'sector 75', andintermeshing therewithis a geared sector 7 6. fixed on a shaft 77, which shaft is journaled ina bracket 78, mounted upon the machine frame. Fixed to shaft 77 is anarm 62, having at its other end a roller 63, whichroller runs in anannular groove in a collar 64, which is fixed to the shaft 65 of the inkdrum 30. Fixed also to shaft 77 is an arm 67, said arm carrying at itsfree end a roller 68. Roller 68 runs in a grooved collar 69 on the shaft7 of the ink drum 47. Thus as the shaft 55 rotates, through themechanism just described, ink drums and 47 and roller 49 arelongitudinally vibrated in addition to their rotary movement.

The general operation of the mechanism will be clear from all theforegoing. It will be noted in Fig. l that the circular path to, ortoward, which the ductor roller is resiliently impelled is indicated as40. The

intersections of are with the periphery of ink drum 30 will measure themaximum travel of the ductorroller along the periphcry of the ink drum.This travel involves a concurrent backward radial movement of p theductor roller against its resilient mountv are 40, except that this ismodified by the position of cam 29.

The circular path or are 10 of cam roller 28 corresponds as to itsconditions to those already described for the arcurate path 40. Path 41is that which roller 27 would follow were it not acted upon by cam 29.If cam 29 did not act on roller 28, the ductor roller 17 would followupon ink drum 30 the full path indicated in Fig. a. By moving cam 29 ina circumferential direction toward or from the ink drum, the point ofincidence of the ductor roller therewith to begin its peripheral traveltherealong can be varied, that is shortened or lengthened. Thiscorresponds in a general way to the variation in the dwell of the usualductor roller upon the ink drunnbut possessing the advantages hereinenumerated together with other advantages. The foregoing will be clearfrom the diagrams of Figs. 5 and 6, in which the center of the ductorroller may be regarded as traversing the are a from the instant itleaves cam 29 and engages the ink drum. During its engagement with theink drum, the ductor roller center travels along are I), and as itleaves the ink drum it again follows are H.

The action at the fountain roller is substantially the same as will beunderstood without extended further explanation. With the concurrent useof cams 43 and 29 there is, of course, not only a movement on to the inkfountain roller from one cam but also a lifting off movement on to theother cam. One or the other of said cams at the fountain roller may bedispensed with if found desirable.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificmechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefromwithin the scope of the accompanying claims Without departing from theprinciples of the invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

What we claim is 1. A printing press inking mechanism including incombination a fountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller and meansfor causing the ductor roller to travel along the periphery of both theink drum and the fountain roller and means for independently varyingsaid peripheral travel of the ductor roller upon the ink drum and upon.the fountain roller to control the supply of ink.

2-. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination acontinuously rotating fountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller,means for causing the ductor roller to travel along the periphery ofboth the ink drum and the fountain roller and means for independentlyvarying said peripheral travel of the ductor roller upon the ink drumand upon the fountain roller to control the supply of ink.

3. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a fountainroller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a center andradially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, and means for independently varying theradial movement of the ductor roller at the fountain roller and the inkdrum to control the supply of ink at both.

4s. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller. an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling in an endlesspath, means for causing the ductor roller to travel along the peripheryof both the ink drum and the fountain roller and means for independentlyvarying said peripheral travel of the ductor roller upon the ink drumand upon the fountain roller to control the supply of ink.

5. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a fountainroller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling in an endless path abouta center and radially movable to cause it to travel peripherally uponboth the fountain roller and ink drum, and means for independentlyvarying the radial movement of the ductor roller at the fountain rollerand the ink drum to control the supply of ink at both.

to vary said peripheral travel of the ductor roller to control the inksupply.

9. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination-afountainroller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling in an endlesspath, a cam operating upon the duo tor roller adjacent to the fountainroller and a cam operating upon the ductor roller adjacent to the inkdrum to vary the peripheral path of the ductor roller on the fountainroller and ink drum to independently control the ink supply at eachplace.

10. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand radially movable to cause it to v cluding in combination a fountainroller, an

ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a center and radially movableto cause it to travel peripherally upon the fountain roller and anarcuate circumferentially movable cam for varying the radial movement ofthe ductor roller to control the supply of ink.

13. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand radially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, a cam for varying the radial movement ofthe ductor roller and a cam for varying its movement at the ink drum tocontrol the ink supply.

14:. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand radially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain rollerand ink drum, an arcuate cam for varying the radialmovement of the ductor roller and an arcuate cam for its movement at theink drum to control the ink supply.

15, A printingpress inking mechanism including in combination a fountainroller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a center andradially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, a circumferentially movable arcuate camfor varying the radial movement of the ductor roller and acircumferentially movable arcuate cam for varying its movement at theink drum to control the inksupply.

16. i A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an i ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand radially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, and acam for independently varying theradial movement of the ductor roller atthe fountain roller and the inkdrum to control the supply of ink at 0th. I

17 A printing press inking mechanism including incombination a fountainroller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a center andradially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, and an arcuate camfor independentlyvarying the radial movement of the ductor roller at the fountain rollerand the inkdrum to control the supply of ink at both.

18. A printing press inking mechanism includingin combination a fountainroller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a center andradially'movable to cause lt'llO travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, and a circumfe'rentially movable cam forindependently varying the radial movement of the ductor roller at thefountain roller and the ink drum to control the supply of ink at both;

19. A printing press inking mechanism including in combinatlon afountain roller,-

an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a center and radiallymovable to'cause it to travel peripherally upon both the fountain rollerand ink drum and a circumferentially movable ar'cuat cam forindependently va-' rying the radial movement of the duct-or roller atthe fountain roller and the ink drum to control the supply of ink atboth.

'20. A printing press inking mechanism lIlQlLlCllIlg lIl combinatlon afountain roller,

ment of the ductor roller at the fountain roller and the ink drum tocontrolthe supply of ink at both. i 1 v i 21. A printing press inkingmechanismincluding in combination a fountain roller,

an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about j a center and radiallymovable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both the fountain rollerand ink drum, and a multi-part cam having its parts relativelyadjustable for independently varying the radial movement of the ductorroller at the fountain roller and the ink drum to control the supply ofink at both.

22. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand radially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, and a multi-part arcuate cam having itsparts relatively adjustable for independently varying the radialmovement of the ductor roller at the fountain roller and the ink drum tocontrol the supply of ink at both.

23. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand radially movable to cause it to travel peripherally upon both thefountain roller and ink drum, and a multi-part arcuate cam having itsparts circumferentially relatively adjustable for independently varyingthe radial movement of the ductor roller at the fountain roller and theink drum to control the supply of ink at both.

24. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand resiliently pressed and radially movable to cause it to travelperipherally upon the fountain roller and a cam operating against theresilient pressure to move the ductor roller radially to control theperipheral travel of the ductor roll and thereby the supply of ink.

25. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an ink drum, a duct-0r roller traveling about a centerand resiliently pressed and radially movable to cause it to travelperipherally upon the fountain roller and an arcuate cam operatingagainst the resilient pressure to move the ductor roller radially tocontrol the peripheral travel of the ductor roller and thereby thesupply of ink.

26. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, an ink drum, a ductor roller traveling about a centerand resiliently pressed and radially movable to cause it to travelperipherally upon the fountain roller and an arcuate circumferentiallyadjustable cam operating against the resilient pressure to move theductor roller radially to control the peripheral travel of the ductorroller and thereby the supply of ink.

27. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an inkdrum, a ductor roller and means adjustable along the path of travel oftheductor roller for engaging with the ductor roller but not with theinking surface thereof to bring it tothe surface speed of the ink drumbefore it engages with the ink drum.

28. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an inkdrum, a ductor roller and a cam engaging the ductor roller shaft tobring the roller to the surface speed of the ink drum before it engageswith the ink drum, said cam being adjustable along the path of travel ofthe ductor roller.

29. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, a ductor roller and means adjustable along the path oftravel of the'ductor roller for engaging with the ductor roller but notwith the inking surface thereof to bring the ductor roller to thesurface speed of the fountain roller before it engages with the inkdrum.

30. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, a ductor roller, and a cam adjustable along the path oftravel of the ductor roller for engaging with the ductor roller shaft tobring the ductor roller to the surface speed of the fountain rollerbefore it engages with the ink drum.

31. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, a ductor roller, and a cam engaging with the ductorroller shaft to bring the ductor roller to the surface speed of thefountain roller before it engages with the ink drum, said cam beingadjustable along the path of travel of the ductor roller.

82. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an inkdrum, a ductor roller traveling in a circular path and mounted to yieldresiliently radially and means adjustable along the path of travel ofthe ductor roller for engaging with the duotor roller but not with theinking surface thereof to bring it to the surface speed of the ink drumbefore it engages with the ink drum.

83. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an inkdrum, a ductor roller traveling in a circular path and mounted to yieldresiliently radially and a cam engaging the ductor roller shaft to bringthe roller to the surface speed of the ink drum before it engages withthe ink drum, said cam being adjustable along the path of travel of theductor roller.

34. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination afountain roller, a ductor roller traveling in a circular path andmounted to yield resiliently radially and means adjustable along thepath of travel of the ductor roller for engaging with the ductor rollerbut not with the inking surface thereof to bring the ductor roller tothe surface speed of the fountain roller befor bringing the ductorroller to the same fore it engages with the ink drum. surface speed.

35. A printing press inking mechanism In testimony whereof, we havesigned our including in combination a fountain roller, names to thisspecification, in the presence 5 an ink drum, a ductor roller travelingthereof two subscribing witnesses.

between, and devices independently posi- JOSEPH J. WALSER. tionablealong the path of travel of the duc- HARLAND FANKBONER. tor roller forengaging'with the ductor roller Vitnesses:

shaft before the roller engages with the ink A. E. MALLOY,

10 drum-and the fountain roller, respectively, FRANK J. HALSEY.

